It happened because the team excelled under desperate circumstances in the last chance tournament in Tokyo. Now – in a truly competitive global sport in which Canada often flirts with elite status – they’re one of the only 12 teams that will take part in the very exclusive Olympic volleyball tournament that will be contested at the Maracanazinho.

Since qualifying for Rio, the men have gained tremendous momentum, winning FIVB World League Group 2, which promotes them to the top tier of international volleyball for next season.

Led by captain Fred Winters and usual top scorer Gavin Schmitt, some of the teams Canada could face next season in World League will be close by in Brazil, as the maple leaf nation has drawn a severely tough group in Rio.

Canada vs Korea, 2016 FIVB Volleyball World League / Photo: FIVB

Canada opens its Olympic tournament against reigning FIVB World Cup champion United States on August 7 and the volleyball-mad host nation Brazil two days later. Other teams in the group are Italy, France and Mexico.